The Arietids are the fifth strongest shower of the year detected by radar. They are likely related to a complex of debris streams produced during the breakup of a large comet several millennia ago. Ironically, most people never notice this relatively intense shower. The reason: It peaks in broad daylight. Compared to the human eye, radars do a much better job detecting meteors through the glare.

Visual observers may be able to see a handful of Arietids in the hour or so before sunrise over the next week when the shower is at its peak. These will all be 'Earthgrazers'--that is, meteors which enter at shallow angles and streak across very long arcs in the sky. This peculiar visibility is a result of the radiant never getting much above the horizon at northern latitudes before the rising sun washes out the show. The best time to watch will be any day during the early morning hours of June 6 – June 12.

The best place to see the show is on the society website. Click on the 'Hykeham Observatory Radio Meteor Observations' and see what is happening.